Young People's Faith In Democracy Is Waning

The chart above is a year old, but other polls showing the disappointment of youth in today's politics show that the feeling probably has not changed. Only 53% of Generation Z (age 18-25) believes democracy is the best form of government, while 28% have no preference between democracy or dictatorship and 19% think a dictatorship could be good.

The thinking of Millennials is only slightly better -- with 67% believing democracy is best, while 16% have no preference and 18% thinking a dictatorship could be a good thing.

This is very troubling, but I can sort of understand their feelings. They have recently seen our democratic form of government deal them some blows. They have seen abortion rights disappear in many states. They have seen the rich getting much richer while their opportunities and wages are not improving. They have seen the government blocking improvement in the rights of minorities and LGBTQ's. They have seen help with student loans disappear thanks to Congress and the courts.

It is understandable that many of them might think democracy in not working out for them. But they are wrong if they think a dictatorship would be better -- especially if it was a Trump/Republican dictatorship. It is those Republicans that are denying rights and opportunities, while giving a much bigger slice of the American pie to the rich.

Democracy is the best form of government, but it is far from perfect. While our democracy has resulted in more rights and better living conditions, it has been a series of advances and regressions. Currently, we seem to be in a period of regression. But a dictatorship cannot fix that. Only more democracy can (as it has done in the past).

And young voters must be a big part of saving (and improving) our democracy. Young voters were a huge help in kicking Trump out of the White House, and they must be a big part if we are to keep Trump (and his MAGA adherents) from regaining majority status in our government. Trump and his MAGA adherents are not believers in our democracy, and the dictatorship they want to install would not be good for young people -- or anyone else!

Democrats must make a massive effort to reach young voters. They must convince them that not only is democracy best, but they are the ones who can save it -- and avoid a bleak future for the country.

The choice in 2024 is not just between two political parties, but a choice in what kind of government we will have -- democracy or dictatorship. We need young people to make the right choice.